Our world is full of myths. Every culture in every part of our world has conjured up vibrant, brilliant myths to explain the constellations, the universe, and ourselves. This is one of my favourites.
This Chinese myth is about the doomed romance between two of the stars in our very own sky, Vega and Altair. Niulang (who represents Altair) is a lonely cowherd, his only companion a bull. Zhinu (who represents Vega) lives in the celestial court with her six sisters, each with a special skill. Zhinu is able to pluck the clouds from the sky and weave them into delicate fabrics but her work leaves her unsatisfied. Filled with longing she goes to the Queen Mother and begs, finally she is granted permission to visit Earth. She and her sisters are granted robes that give them the ability to travel between Earth and the Heavens. When they reach Earth they are struck by the beauty of the land and the water. They decide to swim in one of the many majestic lakes. It is while they are doing this that the cowherd approaches. He comes by the water often so sweep his parents grave and meet with his only companion, the bull. But as he was approaching he caught sight of the princess and her beauty made him stop and forget all that he was supposed to do. The thing he wanted most in that moment was to approach her but he hesitated. His friend noticed and gifted him with advice. He told him about Zhinu’s origin and how she longed to stay on Earth forever, however, she could only do so if she gave away her robe and never returned to the Heavens again. This gave him the confidence he needed and he started is approach to the lake shore. Upon seeing the cowherd the sisters fled, leaving Zhinu all alone. She had hidden her robe so he offered his to her. Thus began their unlikely bond.
As they travelled the countryside, they both fell deeply in love. They got married and their farm prospered. Before long they had two healthy children. But their bull was getting old. However, before he died he requested for the princess and the cowherd to keep his hide and use it when they needed. As one of her own family members died she started to remember her other family, her family in the heavens. She decided to pay a visit. But when she came into her old home she realized that no one was surprised to see her. She had forgotten that a year on Earth amounted to barely a day in Heaven. When she told her family about her love and the new life she had built on Earth they were enraged. She tried to escape back to Earth, but the Queen Mother pulled a golden hairpin from her head and tore through the sky. A chasm of stars was created in-between the Earth and the Heavens.Â
Back on Earth the cowherd stood petrified, watching this unfold. He knew he had to do something. Then he remembered his friends last words. With each child in a basket and the hide on his back he leapt into the sky. On each side the lovers struggled to reach each other. For years they kept going, searching for each other in the stars, their only company being the magpies soaring high in the sky. Finally, their immense love for each other moved the Queen Mothers heart. Once a year the magpies will form a bridge from the Heavens to the Earth so that Zhinu can reunite with Niulang and her children.
I adore this myth because it shows just how powerful love can be. Zhinu and Niulang love each other so much that they are the reason for the Milky Way.
Myths and legends give us a new way to look at and explore the world. You might not believe all, or any, of them but they are vital and teach us about different cultures, life, love and loss.
